Just like Tiffany has her own gorgeous blue, so does Bora Bora, well it is more of a color range. Amongst the cruising community, big tourist destinations tend to be a big disappointment. They are usually full of cruise ships, hordes of tourists in socks and sandals, expensive restaurants and shops crammed with stuff that you think you need when you are on holiday. Bora Bora is no different with her 1000’s of hotel rooms, most being suspended over the sea, and her hundreds of honeymooning couples. We were prepared to be quietly disdainful. And then we got here and she is very very VERY pretty. It has water of a color to rival Bonaire and we were blown away on our approach to the mooring field. As soon as we were secured, we were all in the water.  The towering mountains seem very proud looking over her island. It is easy to understand where the legend of Moana’s Tafitii comes from. 

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We went to the police station to check out of the country and it was the friendliest exchange we have had with officials. Everyone seems to be very happy to be here. On our way back, we were buzzing around the motu and we zoomed past (we zoom these days) the Hilton resort. The place was so beautiful it made us giggle. The water around it is all shades of incredible. Teo was yelling, “The rooms all have their own jacuzzi’s, that man is sitting in a jacuzzi!” A quick check on the internet tells us that those King Suites with a pool cost $1500 a night. We were joking that we should see if anyone is checking out early so we could go for just an hour… all of us were daydreaming about the plunge from the private swim platform, the dip in the jacuzzi and the showers (or would there be a bath tub with a view?!?) with those little mini Hilton bath products…As we turned the corner we saw the multi/storey Presidential Suite with its 300 square meters which goes for $squillions a night. It’s like in the fashion magazines, “price available on request.” 

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Also this place feels like a bit of a family holiday as we are here on our own having left everyone else in Huahine. The three of us have been going everywhere together and spending lots of time in the water. There has been a boat school break as we only have a few days here and are trying to cram a lot into them.

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The wildlife like it here, too. We saw a turtle as we arrived and a family of sting rays swimming by the Hilton. There is a cleaning station for manta rays on the other side of the island. Other types of fish munch on unwanted stowaways and the manta might also be spoiled by treats from the tourists. They are probably loving the Bora Bora spa with snacks. 

We attempted to climb one of the double peaks to get the majestic view, but we turned back without much of a view. It is a hard hike and it was quite wet underfoot. There are some parts that require ropes and the third set were too daunting. The climb down was just as hard as the way up and we still feel we earned our ice cream. I think the boys could have made it to the top. Jon has had lots of practice with his brother and Teo has a great disposition for this type of thing. Once he gets over the mind trick at the start he just plods along.

We took the dinghy out for the day and went all the way around the island. It was a stunning trip and we had a wonderful time. We were unfortunately not early enough to see the manta rays but  we swam with eagle rays. The eagle rays are so graceful especially when they turn. It was gorgeous. A little while later we jumped back into the water to snorkel with the little fish. These fish were expecting food and were very friendly if not a bit disappointed in us. The coral is in bad shape but the fish seem to be getting big on baguettes from tourists. It was lovely to see the fish so close up because it became clear how much more detailed their features are. We have seen lots of these types of fish before in different locations but never this close. Teo said he felt like he was “swimming in a sea of fish!” Our last stop was the main beach of Matira and since it is Saturday it was full of locals. We used the last of our francs on lunch and got back to Itchy Foot to had a lovely swim before watching the glorious sunset.

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The sunsets have been incredible and we hear ukeulele music from the shore every evening. It isn’t coming from the Hilton, I can picture an older, smiley man in his Hawaiian shirt enjoying the cool evening air on the porch of his beach hut. Thanks Bora Bora for this unexpected parting gift. This is magic, indeed.